---
title: Celebrating Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day
description: "Today we celebrate Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day™! 🎉\n\nAt Northwest AHEC and the Office of Continuing Medical Education, we’re proud to support lifelong learning throughout our region - empowering healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver exceptional care.\n\nThank you to our dedicated team, many serving 10, 20, even 40+ years, and to the partners who make our work possible.\n\nWe asked our partners to describe Northwest AHEC/OCME in one word:\nCollaboration. Commitment. Excellence.\n\nRead the full blog at this link!\n#HealthcareEducation #CME #AHEC #ContinuingEducationProfessionalsDay"
---

[What's New at NWAHEC](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog)

# [Celebrating Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/ce-professionals-day2026)

 Written by [Brooke Kochanski](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/author/brooke-kochanski) | Jan 23, 2026 2:38:04 PM

**Celebrating Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day**  
*January 23, 2026*

Today, we proudly celebrate [**Healthcare Continuing Education Professionals Day**](https://www.acehp.org/Your-Community/Healthcare-Continuing-Education-Professionals-Day)**™**, honoring the individuals who ensure healthcare providers remain informed, skilled, and prepared to deliver exceptional care.

At the **Northwest Area Health Education Center (Northwest AHEC)** and **Office of Continuing Medical Education (OCME)** of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, our continuing education professionals play a vital role in supporting lifelong learning. They design and deliver high‑quality, evidence-based programs that strengthen patient care and elevate healthcare across our communities.

This work is fueled by strong partnerships - across health systems, academic institutions, professional associations, and community organizations. These collaborations allow us to create meaningful educational experiences that meet the needs of today’s healthcare workforce.

When we asked our partners to describe Northwest AHEC/OCME in one word, three themes rose above the rest:  
**Collaboration. Commitment. Excellence.**

 

Today, we also celebrate our exceptional team - many of whom bring decades of experience to their roles. Their dedication, expertise, and service continue to shape healthcare education across our region.

## **Northwest AHEC / OCME Service Milestones**

*(Years of service as of 2026)*

| - Leigh Watkins – 42 years - Marie Simos – 38 years - Ellen Kesler – 34 years - Angela Hodges – 31 years - Michael Lischke – 30 years - Chris Jones – 24 years - Lee Howard – 23 years - Andrew Brewer – 20 years - Nedra Edwards Hines – 20 years - Amy Basham – 19 years - Michelle Adams – 16 years - Medina Wilson – 15 years - Michael Hulme – 15 years - Reed Burger – 14 years - Melanee Mills – 12 years | - Gail Pawlik – 12 years - Christina Clarke – 12 years - Jasmine Mickens – 11 years - Janice Moore – 11 years - Lindsey MacLean – 9 years - Amanda Pearson – 7 years - Brooke Kochanski – 6 years - Alana Dodson – 5 years - Ellen Zimmerman – 5 years - Samantha Garvens – 5 years - Lisa Thomas – 5 years - Lara Dickerson – 4 years - Cherelle Blakley – 4 years - Stephanie Yoder Poindexter – 3 years - Megan Mills Anderson – 2 years |
| --- | --- |

✨ Their dedication strengthens every program we develop, every partnership we nurture, and every learner we support.

Learn more about our full team:  
[https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/staff](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/staff)

 

<https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLJGKuon1rrPzrs8rMabmtOlD7ittlZcYr7UFAqs4hOFEXq4pvI2s0xhg4kB1gcqkeFTnftDkKYInsFyqI7vjKNkMBodL6skbojbWFMVJ0Knk0TXPsfCLGx3wqKeRMjdVr7sA8pxQoodrAtVC%2FNOhYGxmWCesxprdIJnnyhDSoJ7i%2FwQq%2BprcZvKTv0X2fglRURa7%2F03JNL3bmQEGGM%3D&webInteractiveContentId=184495494548&portalId=7413846>

 

 

[View full post](https://go.northwestahec.wakehealth.edu/blog/ce-professionals-day2026)

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